Two former student leaders reflect on lifelong lessons learned

SGA recognizes anniversary year with special gift

Student leaders from two key periods in campus history reflect on issues, education, and the important role of UW-Fond du Lac in their lives.

When the university system invited students to enter higher education via a Fond du Lac campus 40 years ago, it was a fully inclusive invitation to academic life, and student participation in activities was key.

Student government was among the initial activities established, and a governing group continues to this day.


Perfect Parallel
Flipping hamburgers in the busy campus snack shop may have provided “an unfair campaign advantage,” joked Steve Miller, the first student government president at UW-Fond du Lac who attended the campus 1968-70.

Big issues for that time centered on the newness of the organization, and how students would have a voice with the administration.

“We all felt engaged in the birthing of something new and fresh,” he recalled.

Miller had no prior government experience before assuming the presidency, and credits his professors for opening his eyes to a world of possibility.

“Being a working-class kid in Fond du Lac, it never would have occurred to me to go to college without this branch campus here,” he said. “As a first-generation college student… Fondy was a place where I understood I could start.

“I was shy in high school,” he said. “And, suddenly, I discovered that I wanted to interact, to venture out into the larger world. All of the professors shared a bigger view of the world. Fondy is about building a person’s confidence.”

Campus size combined with faculty care and attention were life-changing for Miller. Art Professor William “Griff” Griffiths strongly encouraged his drawing. “This gave me the confidence to believe I could go on to (UW-) Madison and then create a world for myself in the arts,” said Miller, who in 1976 founded Red Ozier Press, devoted to publishing literary, handmade limited editions. He moved to New York City, living among the artists whose works he printed.

“Now, I teach in a big university and run a graduate program,” he said of his role as Professor and Coordinator of the MFA in Book Arts Program at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Five years ago, he was elected president of the faculty senate, working with administration while representing 1,000 faculty members. He called it a “perfect parallel” to his student government experience.

“Fond du Lac gave me a strong understanding of how universities work,” he said. “And, I realize my impact as a professor, because it is all built on the foundation of (UW-) Fond du Lac.”


Revitalization
Student government experienced renewed participation at the same time the campus was undergoing
renovation, according to then-president Jonathan Fox who attended the campus 1997-99. He recalled a core group of about five when he joined the organization in 1997, with a surge to 16 members the following year.

“We had good involvement, ideas and diversity,” said Fox, noting that continuity can be a challenge on the two-year campus.

Members participated in planning and groundbreaking for the new University Center Commons during the campus-wide renovation led by Dean Judy Goldsmith. “It was a great learning experience,” said Fox of the project, which led to increased campus enrollment. “I was able to give input on what the students thought was important. Knowing Dean Judy was instrumental to my growth.”

Another significant issue during Fox’s tenure was changing the campus mascot. Citing how most current students could not identity a Centaur, the group chose the more easily recognized Falcon.

Initially apprehensive about attending the once-declining campus, Fox reported great satisfaction with class size and personable professors. Leadership qualities and knowledge about dealing with others are take-aways from student government.

After completing his degree at Marian College and working at J.F. Ahern, he followed his love of commercial aviation to MESABA Airlines in Minnesota, where he works in the purchasing and supply chain group.

“I wouldn’t have changed it,” said Fox of his time at UW-Fond du Lac. “It was a great experience.”







A photo of Steve Miller, the first student
government leader at the campus, from
the 1970 Spectrum yearbook.

« BACK       NEXT PAGE »